Dealer vs Independent Servicing

A full service history is important for any car. While some vehicle owner will choose to get their car serviced at the dealership, others prefer to use a recommended independent garage.

According to Servicing Stop, 70% of UK motorists prefer to visit an independent garage rather than a main dealer when it comes to servicing their vehicle.

Best4 has put together the pros and cons of choosing a car service dealership vs an independent garage.

Car Service Dealership

Pros

Security and Reassurance of preserving the warranty: Car service dealerships are known for their approved work, authentic parts, and necessary certification.

Components Every component is certified by the manufacturer.

Equipment: They have the most up-to-date diagnostic and monitoring equipment.

Increase in resale value: If you have an official dealer stamp in the book and a certified warranty, it will lead to an increase in the worth of your car.

Preserve the warranty.

Cons

More expensive: This is because franchises have a larger number of overheads with their high-end facilities, staff numbers and hidden fees.

Independent Garage

Pros

Personalised service: With an independent garage you will have a direct conversation with an independent mechanic.

Highly trained: These are run by former technicians from franchise dealerships.

Good customer service: As independent garages grow from word of mouth, they need to have better customer satisfaction.

Budgeting: You can be given the option to choose genuine parts or more cost-effective parts to fit your budget.

Scale of operations: Independent garages are often cheaper as they have fewer overheads than larger businesses.

Easy to book: appointments can be booked at short notice.

Cons

Garage may not have the necessary certification to carry out the servicing.

Some local garages that are not a franchised dealership cannot perform warranty work as they are not authorised to provide the repairs by the manufacturer.

Do not have the same access to service information and manufacturer-specific technical support as franchises do.

May not have access to the latest diagnostic equipment or to your vehicle history records.

Negatively affect your car’s resale value.

Both independent and franchised dealers come with their pros and cons and depend entirely on you as a customer and your vehicle. As a car owner, it’s important to make the right decision for you and your car.

What if you have a Best4 Warranty policy?

If you have a Best4 warranty, it is your responsibility to endure that your vehicle is always maintained in a legal and roadworthy condition by following the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule. You should retain your service invoices as they may be required to validation purposes.

If you do not have a valid service record book or printed service history of the vehicle, then your first service must be carried our within 6,000 miles or 6 months from the date of purchasing the warranty (whichever one comes first). The service must be completed at a VAT registered garage and must consist of the following as a minimum requirement:

Change oil and filter.

Check oil levels in the gearbox and differential top up where necessary.

Check coolant level and anti-freeze/inhibitor strength top up where necessary.

Check timing belt (if fitted) and renew if necessary.

Brake fluid must be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Don’t already have a policy?

What are you waiting for? To get yourself a no obligation, free quote on your vehicle from the most trusted warranty provider on Google and Trustpilot, click here!